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Interstellar molecules

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Abstract

Recently discovered interstellar molecules are a powerful new tool in the arsenal of the astrophysicist. Operating in a completely non-terrestrial environment, interstellar chemistry produces both everyday molecules likely to be found around the house and exotic species never before observed on the Earth. Interpretation of the molecular spectra requires an interdisciplinary approach.

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Zuckerman, B. Interstellar molecules. Nature 268, 491–495 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1038/268491a0

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